Nonaqueous pesticide suspension comprising a water soluble solvent, an inorganic thickener, and an alkoxylate

ABSTRACT

Provided herein is a liquid, nonaqueous composition including a pesticide in form of suspended particles, a water soluble solvent, an inorganic thickener, and an alkoxylate. Further provided herein is a method for the preparation of the composition, wherein the pesticide, the water soluble solvent, the inorganic thickener, and the alkoxylate are contacted. Additionally provided herein is a method for controlling phytopathogenic fungi, undesired plant growth, and/or undesired attack by insects or mites, and/or for regulating the growth of plants, wherein the composition acts on the particular pests, their habitat, the plants to be protected from the particular pest, the soil, the undesired plants, the useful plants, and/or the habitat of each plant.

The present invention relates to a liquid nonaqueous composition comprising a pesticide in the form of suspended particles, a water soluble solvent, a inorganic thickener selected from fumed silica particles, and optionally a water insoluble alkoxylate. The present invention further relates to a liquid nonaqueous composition comprising a pesticide in the form of suspended particles, a propylene glycol solvent, an inorganic thickener selected from fumed silica particles, and optionally an alkoxylated alkanol. It further relates to a method for the preparation of the composition, where the pesticide, the water soluble solvent, the inorganic thickener selected from fumed silica particles, optionally the alkoxylate, and optionally the block polymer surfactant are contacted; and it relates to a method for the preparation of said composition, where the pesticide, the propylene glycol solvent, the inorganic thickener selected from fumed silica particles, optionally the alkoxylated alkanol, optionally the block polymer surfactant, and optionally the cosurfactant are contacted. It further relates to a method for controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or undesired plant growth and/or undesired attack by insects or mites and/or for regulating the growth of plants, where said composition is allowed to act on the particular pests, their habitat or the plants to be protected from the particular pest, the soil and/or on undesired plants and/or the useful plants and/or their habitat; and finally to seed treated with said composition. The present invention comprises combinations of preferred features with other preferred features.

Agrochemical formulations in form of aqueous suspensions are known and may contain large amounts of water as continuous phase for suspending pesticide particles. However, such aqueous formulations have various drawbacks, e.g. they are not suitable for pesticides which degrade in aqueous phase slowly; pesticides having an increased water solubility may not be suspended; formulation additives need to be water-soluble; or microbial growth is high in aqueous systems. Object of the present invention was to overcome these and other drawbacks.

One embodiment of the present invention is a liquid nonaqueous composition comprising a pesticide in form of suspended particles, a water soluble solvent, an inorganic thickener selected from fumed silica particles, and optionally a alkoxylate, which is preferably water-insoluble. The water soluble solvent may comprise one or more of the following: propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol , glycerin, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, and dimethyl sulfoxide. The alkoxylate may comprise one or more compound(s) may comprise (a) ethoxylated and propoxylated C12-18 alcohols; (b) polyglycols based on ethylene oxide(s) and/or propylene oxide(s); and (c) polyalkyleneoxide modified heptamethyltrisiloxane. In another embodiment the composition may further comprise a block polymer surfactant. The block polymer surfactant may be an alkoxylate block polymer, which comprises blocks of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide. A further embodiment of the current application is a method for the preparation of the composition described in the present invention, where the pesticide, the water soluble solvent, the inorganic thickener selected from fumed silica particles, optionally the water insoluble alkoxylate, optionally the block polymer surfactant, and optionally the cosurfactant are contacted. A further embodiment of the current invention is a method for controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or undesired plant growth and/or undesired attack by insects or mites and/or for regulating the growth of plants, where the composition described herein is allowed to act on the particular pests, their habitat or the plants to be protected from the particular pest, the soil and/or on undesired plants and/or the useful plants and/or their habitat. A further embodiment of the current invention is a seed treated with the composition as described herein.

The object of the current invention was achieved by a liquid nonaqueous composition comprising a pesticide in form of suspended particles, a water soluble solvent, an inorganic thickener selected from fumed silica particles, and optionally an alkoxylate, preferably an alkoxylated alkanol.

The composition is a liquid composition, which may be liquid at 20° C. The composition usually comprises a continuous liquid phase and a suspended solid phase. The liquid phase usually comprises the water soluble solvent, such as propylene glycol. The solid phase usually forms solid particles within the liquid phase. The solid phase usually comprises the pesticide particles.

The composition is a nonaqueous composition. The composition usually comprises less than 5 wt %, preferably less than 1 wt %, and in particular less than 0.3 wt % of water. In another form the composition is essentially free of water.

The term “water soluble” or “hydophillic” means the compound may have a solubility in water at 20° C. of at least 5 g/l, preferably of at least 20 g/l, more preferably at least 50 g/l, and in particular of at least 100 g/l.

The term “water insoluble” or “hydrophobic” means the compound may have a solubility in water at 20° C. of up to 100 g/l, preferably of up to 50 g/l ° C., more preferably up to 20 g/l, and in particular of up to 5 g/l.

The term pesticide refers usually to at least one active substance selected from the group of the fungicides, insecticides, nematicides, herbicides, safeners, biopesticides and/or growth regulators. Preferred pesticides are fungicides, insecticides, herbicides and growth regulators. Especially preferred pesticides are insecticides. Mixtures of pesticides of two or more of the abovementioned classes may also be used. The skilled worker is familiar with such pesticides, which can be found, for example, in the Pesticide Manual, 16th Ed. (2013), The British Crop Protection Council, London. Suitable insecticides are insecticides from the class of the carbamates, organophosphates, organochlorine insecticides, phenylpyrazoles, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, spinosins, avermectins, milbemycins, juvenile hormone analogs, alkyl halides, organotin compounds nereistoxin analogs, benzoylureas, diacylhydrazines, METI acarizides, and insecticides such as chloropicrin, pymetrozin, flonicamid, clofentezin, hexythiazox, etoxazole, diafenthiuron, propargite, tetradifon, chlorofenapyr, DNOC, buprofezine, cyromazine, amitraz, hydramethylnon, acequinocyl, fluacrypyrim, rotenone, or their derivatives. Suitable fungicides are fungicides from the classes of dinitroanilines, allylamines, anilinopyrimidines, antibiotics, aromatic hydrocarbons, benzenesulfonamides, benzimidazoles, benzisothiazoles, benzophenones, benzothiadiazoles, benzotriazines, benzyl carbamates, carbamates, carboxamides, carboxylic acid diamides, chloronitriles cyanoacetamide oximes, cyanoimidazoles, cyclopropanecarboxamides, dicarboximides, dihydrodioxazines, dinitrophenyl crotonates, dithiocarbamates, dithiolanes, ethylphosphonates, ethylaminothiazolecarboxamides, guanidines, hydroxy-(2-amino)pyrimidines, hydroxyanilides, imidazoles, imidazolinones, inorganic substances, isobenzofuranones, methoxyacrylates, methoxycarbamates, morpholines, N phenylcarbamates, oxazolidinediones, oximinoacetates, oximinoacetamides, peptidylpyrimidine nucleosides, phenylacetamides, phenylamides, phenylpyrroles, phenylureas, phosphonates, phosphorothiolates, phthalamic acids, phthalimides, piperazines, piperidines, propionamides, pyridazinones, pyridines, pyridinylmethylbenzamides, pyrimidinamines, pyrimidines, pyrimidinonehydrazones, pyrroloquinolinones, quinazolinones, quinolines, quinones, sulfamides, sulfamoyltriazoles, thiazolecarboxamides, thiocarbamates, thiophanates, thiophenecarboxamides, toluamides, triphenyltin compounds, triazines, triazoles. Suitable herbicides are herbicides from the classes of the acetamides, amides, aryloxyphenoxypropionates, benzamides, benzofuran, benzoic acids, benzothiadiazinones, bipyridylium, carbamates, chloroacetamides, chlorocarboxylic acids, cyclohexanediones, dinitroanilines, dinitrophenol, diphenyl ether, glycines, imidazolinones, isoxazoles, isoxazolidinones, nitriles, N-phenylphthalimides, oxadiazoles, oxazolidinediones, oxyacetamides, phenoxycarboxylic acids, phenylcarbamates, phenylpyrazoles, phenylpyrazolines, phenylpyridazines, phosphinic acids, phosphoroamidates, phosphorodithioates, phthalamates, pyrazoles, pyridazinones, pyridines, pyridinecarboxylic acids, pyridinecarboxamides, pyrimidinediones, pyrimidinyl(thio)benzoates, quinolinecarboxylic acids, semicarbazones, sulfonylaminocarbonyltriazolinones, sulfonylureas, tetrazolinones, thiadiazoles, thiocarbamates, triazines, triazinones, triazoles, triazolinones, triazolocarboxamides, triazolopyrimidines, triketones, uracils, ureas. Mixtures of different pesticides are also suitable.

In one form the pesticide is metaflumizone. In another form the pesticide is abamectin. In another form the pesticide is glyphosate acid. In another form the pesticide is dinotefuran. In another form the pesticide is broflanilide. In another form the pesticide is an active compound of the formula I.

wherein

-   -   R¹ is H, C₁-C₂-alkyl, or C₁-C₂-alkoxy-C₁-C₂-alkyl;     -   R² is CH₃, or halomethyl;     -   R³ is CN, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl,         C₁-C₂-alkoxy-C₁-C₂-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl and C₂-C₆-alkynyl,         C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, C₅-C₆-cycloalkenyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, wherein the         C-atoms are unsubstituted, or partially or fully substituted by         R^(a);     -   R^(a) is halogen, CN, C₁-C₂-haloalkyl, C₁-C₁-C₄-alkoxy,         C₁-C₂-haloalkoxy;     -   R⁴ is C₁-C₄-alkyl, or a group mentioned for R³⁻; or     -   R³ and R⁴ may together form C₅-C₆-cycloalkyl, which is         unsubstituted, or partially or fully substituted by Ra^(a);     -   R⁵ is H, or a group mentioned for R⁴.

Suitable examples for the active compound of the formula I are 1-isopropyl-N,5-dimethyl-N-pyridazin-4-yl-pyrazole-4-carboxamide; 1-(1,2-dimethylpropyl)-N-ethyl-5-methyl-N-pyridazin-4-yl-pyrazole-4-carboxamide; N,5-dimethyl-N-pyridazin-4-yl-1-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-methyl-ethyl)pyrazole-4-carboxamide; 1[1-(1-cyanocyclopropypethyll-N-ethyl-5-methyl-N-pyridazin-4-yl-pyrazole-4- carboxamide; N-ethyl-1-(2-fluoro-1-methyl-propyl)-5-methyl-N-pyridazin-4-yl-pyrazole-4-carboxamide; 1-(1,2-dimethylpropyl)-N,5-dimethyl-N-pyridazin-4-yl-pyrazole-4-carboxamide; 1-[1-(1-cyanocyclopropyl)ethyl]-N,5-dimethyl-N-pyridazin-4-yl-pyrazole-4-carboxamide; N-methyl-1-(2-fluoro-1-methyl-propyl]-5-methyl-N-pyridazin-4-yl-pyrazole-4-carboxamide; 1-(4,4-difluorocyclohexyl)-N-ethyl-5-methyl-N-pyridazin-4-yl-pyrazole-4-carboxamide; or 1-(4,4-difluorocyclohexyl)-N,5-dimethyl-N-pyridazin-4-yl-pyrazole-4-carboxamide. These compounds are known from WO2010/034737, WO2012/084670, WO2012/143317, and WO2015/055497, respectively.

The pesticide may have a melting point of at least 40° C., at least 50° C., preferably of at least 70° C. and in particular of at least 90° C.

The pesticide may have a solubility in water at 20° C. of at least 0.5 g/l, preferably of at least 2 g/l ° C., more preferably at least 10 g/l and in particular of at least 50 g/l. The pesticide may have a solubility in water at 20° C. of up to 250 g/l, up to 250 g/l, up to 150 g/l or up to 80 g/l. In a preferred form the pesticide may have a solubility in water at 20° C. of up to 10 g/l, up to 5 g/l, up to 1 g/l ° C. or up to 0.5 g/l.

The pesticide may be present in the form of crystalline or amorphous particiles which are solid at 20° C. The pesticide has a usually particle size distribution with an Dx50 value of from 0.01 to 50 μm, from 0.1 to 10 μm, preferably 0.2 μm to 5 μm and especially preferably 0.5 μm to 2 μm. The particle size distribution can be determined by laser light diffraction of an aqueous suspension comprising the particles. The sample preparation, for example the dilution to the measuring concentration, will, in this measuring method, depend on the fineness and concentration of the active substances in the suspension sample and on the apparatus used (for example Malvern Mastersizer), inter alia. The procedure should be developed for the system in question and is known to a person skilled in the art.

The composition may comprise at least one further pesticide in addition to the pesticide. The further pesticide may be present in form of suspended particles and/or in dissolved form. Preferably, the further pesticide may be present in form of suspended particles. In another preferred form the further pesticide may be present in dissolved form. The further pesticide may be selected from the aforementioned list of pesticides.

The composition may comprise from 1 to 50 wt %, preferably from 5 to 35 wt %, and in particular from 10 to 30 wt % total sum of the pesticide and the further pesticide. In another form the composition may comprise at least 0.1 wt %, preferably at least 1 wt %, and in particular at least 10 wt % total sum of the pesticide and the further pesticide.

The water soluble solvent may include one or more of the following: propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerin, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, and dimethyl sulfoxide. In another form the water soluble solvent may comprise propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, or glycerin. In another form the water soluble solvent may comprise propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, or glycerin. Mixtures of different water soluble solvents are also suitable. The water soluble solvent comprises preferably propylene glycol (1,2-propylene glycol) or polyethylene glycol. The water soluble solvent comprises in particular propylene glycol (e.g. 1,2-propylene glycol).

The water soluble solvent may have a solubility in water at 20° C. of at least 10 g/l, preferably of at least 50 g/l ° C., more preferably at least 100 g/l and in particular of at least 200 g/l.

The propylene glycol may be 1,2-propylene glycol or 1,3-propylene glycol. Preferably, the propylene glycol is 1,2-propylene glycol. The polyethylene glycol has usually a melting point of up to 25° C., preferably up to 20° C., and in particular up to 15° C. The polyethylene glycol has usually a average molar mass of up to 1000 g/mol, preferably up to 700 g/mol and in particular up to 500 g/mol.

The composition may comprise at least 5 wt %, preferably at least 10 wt %, and in particular at least 15 wt % of the water soluble solvent. The composition may comprise from 1 to 50 wt %, preferably from 5 to 40 wt %, and in particular from 10 to 30 wt % of the water soluble solvent. In another form the composition may comprise from 1 to 90 wt %, preferably from 5 to 85 wt %, and in particular from 15 to 80 wt % of the water soluble solvent. In another form the water soluble solvent is added in an amount to fill up the composition to 100 wt %.

The sum of the amounts of the water soluble solvent (e.g. propylene glycol) and the alkoxylate (e.g. the alkoxyalted alkanol) is usually at least 25 wt %, preferably at least 35 wt %, and in particular at least 40 wt % of the composition.

The composition may comprise further organic solvent in addition to the water soluble solvent. Suitable further organic solvents are mineral oil fractions of medium to high boiling point, e.g. kerosene, diesel oil; oils of vegetable or animal origin; aliphatic, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons, e.g. toluene, paraffin, tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naphthalenes; alcohols, e.g. benzylalcohol, cyclohexanol; DMSO; ketones, e.g. cyclohexanone; esters, e.g. lactates, carbonates, fatty acid esters, gamma-butyrolactone; fatty acids; phosphonates; amines; amides, e.g. N-methylpyrrolidone, fatty acid dimethylamides; and mixtures thereof. The composition may comprise up to 10 wt %, preferably up to 3 wt %, and in particular up to 1 wt % of the further organic solvents. In one form the composition is essentially free of the further organic solvent. Typically, the further organic solvent is water-insoluble.

The inorganic thickener is present in form of particles, which may be water dispersible. Preferably, the inorganic thickener is present in form of suspended particles. The inorganic thickener comprises fumed silica particles, and in particular hydrophilic silica particles.

In general silica is available as fumed silica and precipitated silica. Precipitated silica is typically produced by precipitation from a solution containing silicate salts, such as by the reaction of an alkaline silicate solution with a mineral acid. Fumed silica (also known as pyrogenic silica) is typically produced by flame pyrolysis of silicon tetrachloride or from quarzt sand vaporized in an about 3000° C. hot electric arc. Fumed silica and precipitated silica clearly differ in their chemcial, physical and structural properties, and are thus used for different industrial purposes. For example precipitated silica has a lot of pores with a pore size of up to 30 nm, whereas fumed silica is usually free of such pores. The inorganic thickener selected from fumed silica particles which are preferably free of pores (e.g. of pores with a pore size of up to 30 nm).

In general silica particles are available as hydrophilic silica particles or as hydrophobic modified silica particles. In general silica is hydrophilic due to silanol (Si—OH) groups on the surface of the particles. These silanol groups may be chemically reacted with various reagents to render the silica hydrophobic. The hydrophobic modified silica particles are usually modified by treatment with a silane, a siloxane, or a mixture thereof. Examples for silanes or siloxanes are dimethyldichlorosilane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, octylsilane, hexamethyldisiloxane, methacrylsilane.

In the present invention the fumed silica particles are preferably hydrophilic silica particles. Preferably, the silica particles are not hydrophobic silica particles. Preferably the silica particles are not modified by treatment with a silane, a siloxane, or a mixture thereof. Preferably the silica particles are free of a modification by treatment with a silane, a siloxane, or a mixture thereof. The composition may be essentially free of hydrophobic modified silica particles (e.g. hydrophobic modified silica particles modified by treatment with a silane, a siloxane, or a mixture thereof).

Typically, the inorganic thickener contains silica particles with specific surface area in the range from 50 to 500 m²/g, preferably from 100 to 350 m²/g, and in particular from 170 to 230 m²/g. In another form the inorganic thickener contains silica particles with specific surface area in the range from 50 to 600 m²/g, preferably from 140 to 450 m²/g, and in particular from 170 to 350 m²/g. In another form the inorganic thickener contains silica particles with specific surface area of at least 50 m²/g, preferably at least 80 m²/g, and in particular at least 120 m²/g. The specific surface area may refer to the BET surface area. The specific surface area may be determined according to DIN ISO 9277.

In general, a distinction is made in the case of particles between the primary and the secondary particle diameter. A plurality of smaller particles (having a primary particle diameter) may agglomerate to form a larger particle (having a secondary particle diameter). The secondary particle diameter can therefore often also be designated as agglomerate size.

Typically, the inorganic thickener contains silica particles with a primary particle diameter in the range from 0.1 to 500 nm, preferably from 1 to 100 nm, in particular from 5 to 25 nm. The primary particle diameter is preferably determined via transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Typically, the pH value of an aqueous dispersion of the silica particles is in the range from 1 to 5.5, preferably in the range from 2 to 5.0, and in particular in the range from 3 to 4.8. The pH value is usually determined as a 4 wt % dispersion of the silica particles in water.

The silica particles may comprise at least 95 wt %, preferably at least 98 wt %, and in particular at least 99.3 wt % of SiO_(2.)

The weight loss on ignition (also called the ignition loss) of the silica particles is up to 5 wt %, preferably up to 4.0 wt %, and in particular up to 2.1 wt %. The ignition loss may be determined at 1000° C. (e.g. 2 hours at 1000° C.).

The composition may comprise up to 5 wt %, preferably up to 2.5 wt %, and in particular up to 1.5 wt % of the inorganic thickener. In another form the composition may comprise up to 1.5 wt %, preferably up to 1.0 wt %, and in particular up to 0.8 wt % of the inorganic thickener (e.g. silica particles). The composition may comprise from 0.01 to 5 wt %, preferably from 0.05 to 2.5 wt %, and in particular from 0.1 to 1.5 wt % of the inorganic thickener. In another form the composition may comprise from 0.01 to 3.0 wt %, preferably from 0.05 to 1.0 wt %, and in particular from 0.1 to 0.8 wt % of the inorganic thickener (e.g. silica particles).

Suitable alkoxylates (e.g. water insoluble alkoxylates) include, but are not limited to: polyglycols based on ethylene oxide(s) and/or propylene oxide(s); fatty oleyl alcohols and polyalkyleneoxide modified peptamethyltrisiloxane. Preferably, the alkoxylate is an alkoxylated alkanol.

In another form suitable alkoxylates include alkoxylated alkanols, which are usually alkoxylated linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C₁-C₂₀ (preferably C₈-C₂₀) alkanols, preferably ethoxylated, ethoxylated and propoxylated, or ethoxylated and butoxylated, linear or branched, saturated C₂-C₁₈ (preferably C₈-C₁₈) alkanols or more preferably, ethoxylated and propoxylated C₄-C₁₈ (preferably C₁₂-C₂₀) alkanols. The alkanol unit of the alkoxylated alkanol may be a technical mixture of various chain lengths and isomers. The total number of alkoxy units in the alkoxylated alkanols may range from 5 to 30, preferably from 10 to 25 alkoxy units (e.g. ethyleneoxy and/or propyleneoxy units). The alkoxy units (e.g. EO and PO units) occur preferably in block sequence, in particular as diblock sequence. The polyalkoxylate chain of the alkoxylated alkanols may be terminated by a hydroxy group or a C1 to C4 alkyl, wherein the hydroxy group is preferred. In another form the alkoxy units (e.g. EO and PO units) occur preferably in block sequence, in particular as diblock sequence, and the polyalkoxylate chain of the alkoxylated alkanols is terminated by a hydroxy group.

In another form preferred suitable alkoxylates are alkoxylated alkanols of the formula (I)

R^(a)—O—(AO)_(m)—R¹   (I)

in which

-   -   R^(a) is straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkylene with from         1 to 32, preferably 4 to 32, more preferably from 10 to 22,         carbon atoms,     -   AO is an ethylene oxide radical, propylene oxide radical,         butylene oxide radical, pentylene oxide radical, styrene oxide         radical or mixtures of the abovementioned radicals in random or         block sequence (wherein a diblock sequence is preferred),     -   m is numbers from 1 to 30 and     -   R¹ is hydrogen or alkyl with from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Particularly preferred alkoxylated alkanols are those of the formula (II)

R^(b)—O—(EO)_(p)—(PO)_(q)—R¹   (II)

in which

-   -   R^(b) is straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkylene with from         1 to 32, preferably 4 to 32, more preferably from 10 to 22,         particularly preferably from 6 to 18, carbon atoms,     -   EO is —CH₂CH₂—O—,     -   PO is —CH₂—CH(CH₃)—O—or —(CH₂)₃—O—,     -   p is numbers from 1 to 20, preferably from 2 to 15,     -   q is numbers from 1 to 25, preferably from 5 to 20, and     -   R¹ is hydrogen or alkyl with from 1 to 4 carbon atoms,         in which the EO and PO units can occur in random sequence or as         blocks.

The alkoxylated alkanol may have a solidification temperature of below 50° C., preferably of below 20° C. and in particular of below 0° C.

The composition may comprise at least 5 wt %, at least 10 wt %, preferably at least 15 wt %, and in particular at least 20 wt % of the alkoxylate (e.g. the alkoxylated alkanol). In another form the composition may comprise at least 0.1 wt %, at least 0.5 wt %, preferably at least 1 wt %, and in particular at least 1.5 wt % of the alkoxylate (e.g. the alkoxylated alkanol). The composition may comprise from 1 to 50 wt %, preferably from 10 to 40 wt %, and in particular from 20 to 35 wt % of the alkoxylate (e.g. the alkoxylated alkanol).

In one form the alkoxylate is a short chain alkoxylated alkanol, which is an alkoxylated alkanol of the formula I, in which R^(a) is straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkylene with from 1 to 8, preferably from 2 to 6, and in particular 3 to 5 carbon atoms. In another form the alkoxylate is a short chain alkoxylated alkanol, which is an alkoxylated alkanol of the formula II, in which R^(b) is straight-chain or branched alkyl with from 1 to 8, preferably from 2 to 6, and in particular 3 to 5 carbon atoms. The composition may comprise at least 0.1 wt %, at least 0.5 wt %, preferably at least 1 wt %, and in particular at least 1.5 wt % of the short chain alkoxylated alkanol. The composition may comprise from 0.1 to 20 wt %, preferably from 0.5 to 15 wt %, and in particular from 1 to 8 wt % of the short chain alkoxylated alkanol.

The composition may comprise a block polymer surfactant. The block polymer surfactant may be a diblock polymer or a triblock polymer, wherein the triblock polymer is preferred. The blocks of the block polymer surfactant may be of the A-B or A-B-A type, where the A-B-A type is preferred. Typically, the block polymers surfactant is a nonionic surfactant.

The block polymer surfactant is preferably an alkoxylate block polymer, which may comprise blocks of polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide. The alkoxylate block polymers comprise usually at least 20 wt %, preferably at least 30 wt % of polymerized ethylene oxide. In a preferred form the alkoxylate block polymers comprise at least 10 wt %, preferably at least 15 wt % of polymerized ethylene oxide. The alkoxylate block polymers is preferably a block polymers A-B-A type comprising blocks of polyethylene oxide (block “A”) and polypropylene oxide (block “B”). The alkoxylate block polymers are usually terminated on both ends by hydroxyl groups.

The molecular weight of the block polymer surfactant (e.g. the alkoxylate block polymer) may be from 1000 to 30000 Da, preferably from 2000 to 15000 Da.

The block polymer surfactant (e.g. the alkoxylate block polymer) may have a solubility in water at 20° C. of at least 3 wt %, preferably at least 5 wt %, and in particular at least 8 wt %.

The block polymer surfactant (e.g. the alkoxylate block polymer) may have a HLB value in the range from 8 to 22, preferably from 10 to 20. In another form the block polymer surfactant (e.g. the alkoxylate block polymer) may have a HLB value in the range from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 8. The HLB may be calculated by known methods.

In a preferred form the block polymer surfactant is an alkoxylate block polymer of the A-B-A type comprising blocks of polyethylene oxide (block “A”) and polypropylene oxide (block “B”), and wherein the alkoxylate block polymer is terminated on both ends by hydroxyl groups.

The composition may comprise at least 7 wt %, preferably at least 12 wt %, and in particular at least 18 wt % of the block polymer surfactant (e.g. the alkoxylate block polymer). In another form the composition may comprise at least 3 wt %, preferably at least 5 wt %, and in particular at least 10 wt % of the block polymer surfactant (e.g. the alkoxylate block polymer). The composition may comprise from 5 to 40 wt %, preferably from 10 to 35 wt %, and in particular from 15 to 30 wt % of the block polymer surfactant (e.g. the alkoxylate block polymer). In another form the composition may comprise from 1 to 40 wt %, preferably from 5 to 35 wt %, and in particular from 10 to 30 wt % of the block polymer surfactant (e.g. the alkoxylate block polymer).

The sum of the amounts of the water soluble solvent, the alkoxylate, and the block polymer surfactant is usually at least 40 wt %, preferably at least 50 wt %, and in particular at least 60 wt % of the composition.

The composition may comprise a nonionic surfactant. The may have a HLB value in the range from 6 to 16, preferably from 8 to 16, and in particular from 8 to 14. The HLB may be calculated by known methods. Suitable cosurfactants are phenol alkoxylates, N-subsituted fatty acid amides, amine oxides, esters, sugar-based surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Examples of N-substituted fatty acid amides are fatty acid glucamides or fatty acid alkanolamides. Examples of esters are fatty acid esters, glycerol esters or monoglycerides. Examples of sugar-based surfactants are sorbitans, ethoxylated sorbitans, sucrose and glucose esters or alkylpolyglucosides. The cosurfactant is usually different from the block polymer surfactant.

A preferred nonionic cosurfactant is a phenol alkoxylate, preferably a polyarylphenol alkoxylate, more preferably a polyarylphenol ethoxylate, and in particular a tristyrylphenol ethoxylate. The phenol alkoxylate may comprise at least 1 to 70, preferably 3 to 40, and in particular 5 to 30 alkylene oxide units (preferably ethylene oxide units). The phenol alkoxylate has usually a HLB value in the range from 7 to 17, preferably from 9 to 17, and in particular from 11 to 15.

The composition may comprise at least 3 wt %, preferably at least 7 wt %, and in particular at least 12 wt % of the nonionic cosurfactant (e.g. phenol alkoxylate, preferably the polyarylphenol alkoxylate). The composition may comprise from 1 to 35 wt %, preferably from 5 to 25 wt %, and in particular from 10 to 20 wt % of the nonionic cosurfactant (e.g. phenol alkoxylate, preferably the polyarylphenol alkoxylate).

The composition may comprise further surfactants in addition to the nonionic cosurfactant and the block polymer surfactant. Examples of further surfactants are listed in McCutcheon's, Vol.1: Emulsifiers & Detergents, McCutcheon's Directories, Glen Rock, USA, 2008 (International Ed. or North American Ed.). Further surfactants may be anionic surfactants and cationic surfactants, wherein anionic surfactants are preferred.

Suitable anionic surfacants are alkali, alkaline earth or ammonium salts of sulfonates, sulfates, phosphates, carboxylates, and mixtures thereof. Examples of sulfonates are alkylarylsulfonates, diphenylsulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, lignine sulfonates, sulfonates of fatty acids and oils, sulfonates of ethoxylated alkylphenols, sulfonates of alkoxylated arylphenols, sulfonates of condensed naphthalenes, sulfonates of dodecyl- and tridecylbenzenes, sulfonates of naphthalenes and alkylnaphthalenes, sulfosuccinates or sulfosuccinamates. Examples of sulfates are sulfates of fatty acids and oils, of ethoxylated alkylphenols, of alcohols, of ethoxylated alcohols, or of fatty acid esters. Examples of phosphates are phosphate esters. Examples of carboxylates are alkyl carboxylates, and carboxylated alcohol or alkylphenol ethoxylates.

Suitable cationic surfactants are quaternary surfactants, for example quaternary ammonium compounds with one or two hydrophobic groups, or salts of long-chain primary amines.

The further surfactant is preferably an anionic surfactant selected from sulfonates or sulfates, wherein sulfonates are preferred. The further surfactant is preferably selected from alkylarylsulfonates, diphenylsulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, lignine sulfonates, sulfonates of fatty acids and oils, sulfonates of ethoxylated alkylphenols, sulfonates of alkoxylated arylphenols, sulfonates of condensed naphthalenes, sulfonates of dodecyl- and tridecylbenzenes, sulfonates of naphthalenes and alkylnaphthalenes, sulfosuccinates or sulfosuccinamates, or from sulfates of fatty acids and oils, of ethoxylated alkylphenols, of alcohols, of ethoxylated alcohols, or of fatty acid esters. The further surfactant is more preferably selected from alkylarylsulfonates, sulfonates of condensed naphthalenes, sulfonates of naphthalenes and alkylnaphthalenes, wherein sulfonates of condensed naphthalenes are preferred.

The composition may comprise from 0.1 to 15 wt %, preferably from 1 to 10 wt %, and in particular from 2 to 8 wt % of the further surfactants (e.g. the anionic surfactant, preferably selected from sulfonates or sulfates).

In one form the alkoxylate is a short chain alkoxylated alkanol, and the composition comprises less than 5 wt %, preferably less than 1 wt % and in particular less than 0.1 wt % of the block polymer surfactant (e.g. the alkoxylate block polymer). In another form the alkoxylate is a short chain alkoxylated alkanol, and the composition is essentially free of the block polymer surfactant (e.g. the alkoxylate block polymer).

In one form the alkoxylate is a short chain alkoxylated alkanol, and the composition comprises a further surfactant, preferably selected from anionic surfactants (e.g. sulfonates or sulfates). In another form the alkoxylate is a short chain alkoxylated alkanol of the formula I, in which R^(a) is straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkylene with from 1 to 8, preferably from 2 to 6, and in particular 3 to 5 carbon atoms, and the composition comprises a further surfactant selected from alkylarylsulfonates, sulfonates of condensed naphthalenes, sulfonates of naphthalenes and alkylnaphthalenes, wherein sulfonates of condensed naphthalenes are preferred.

In another form the alkoxylate is a short chain alkoxylated alkanol, wherein the composition comprises 0.1 to 20 wt %, preferably from 0.5 to 15 wt %, and in particular from 1 to 8 wt % of the short chain alkoxylated alkanol, and the composition comprises a further surfactant, preferably selected from anionic surfactants (e.g. sulfonates or sulfates), and the composition comprises 0.1 to 15 wt %, preferably from 1 to 10 wt %, and in particular from 2 to 8 wt % of the further surfactant. In one form the alkoxylate is a short chain alkoxylated alkanol, and the composition comprises a further surfactant, preferably selected from anionic surfactants (e.g. sulfonates or sulfates), and the composition is essentially free of the block polymer surfactant (e.g. the alkoxylate block polymer).

The composition may comprise further auxiliaries. Examples for suitable auxiliaries are anti-foaming agents, colorants, tackifiers and binders. Suitable anti-foaming agents are silicones, long chain alcohols, and salts of fatty acids. Suitable colorants (e.g. in red, blue, or green) are pigments of low water solubility and water-soluble dyes. Examples are inorganic colorants (e.g. iron oxide, titan oxide, iron hexacyanoferrate) and organic colorants (e.g. alizarin-, azo- and phthalocyanine colorants). Suitable tackifiers or binders are polyvinylpyrrolidons, polyvinylacetates, polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylates, biological or synthetic waxes, and cellulose ethers.

The composition may be used for the purposes of treatment of plant propagation materials, particularly seeds. The compositions in question give, after two-to-tenfold dilution, active substance concentrations of from 0.01 to 60% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 40% by weight, in the ready-to-use preparations. Application can be carried out before or during sowing. Methods for applying or treating the compositions thereof, respectively, on to plant propagation material, especially seeds include dressing, coating, pelleting, dusting, soaking and in-furrow application methods of the propagation material. Preferably, the composition is applied on to the plant propagation material by a method such that germination is not induced, e. g. by seed dressing, pelleting, coating and dusting. When employed in plant protection, the amounts of the pesticide applied are, depending on the kind of effect desired, from 0.001 to 2 kg per ha, preferably from 0.005 to 2 kg per ha, more preferably from 0.05 to 0.9 kg per ha, in particular from 0.1 to 0.75 kg per ha. In treatment of plant propagation materials such as seeds, e. g. by dusting, coating or drenching seed, amounts of active substance of from 0.1 to 1000 g, preferably from 1 to 1000 g, more preferably from 1 to 100 g and most preferably from 5 to 100 g, per 100 kilogram of plant propagation material (preferably seed) are generally required.

The user applies the composition according to the invention usually from a predosage device, a knapsack sprayer, a spray tank, a spray plane, or an irrigation system. Usually, the composition is made up with water, buffer, and/or further auxiliaries to the desired application concentration and the ready-to-use spray liquor or the agrochemical composition according to the invention is thus obtained. Usually, 20 to 2000 liters, preferably 50 to 400 liters, of the ready-to-use spray liquor are applied per hectare of agricultural useful area.

The present invention further relates to a method of controlling phytopathogenic fungi and/or undesired plant growth and/or undesired insect or mite attack and/or for regulating the growth of plants, wherein the composition is allowed to act on the respective pests, their environment or the crop plants to be protected from the respective pest, on the soil and/or on undesired plants and/or on the crop plants and/or on their environment.

Examples of suitable crop plants are cereals, for example wheat, rye, barley, triticale, oats or rice; beet, for example sugar or fodder beet; pome fruit, stone fruit and soft fruit, for example apples, pears, plums, peaches, almonds, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants or goose-berries; legumes, for example beans, lentils, peas, lucerne or soybeans; oil crops, for example oilseed rape, mustard, olives, sunflowers, coconut, cacao, castor beans, oil palm, peanuts or soybeans; cucurbits, for example pumpkins/squash, cucumbers or melons; fiber crops, for example cotton, flax, hemp or jute; citrus fruit, for example oranges, lemons, grapefruit or tangerines; vegetable plants, for example spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cabbages, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, pumpkin/squash or capsicums; plants of the laurel family, for example avocados, cinnamon or camphor; energy crops and industrial feedstock crops, for example maize, soybeans, wheat, oilseed rape, sugar cane or oil palm; maize; tobacco; nuts; coffee; tea; bananas; wine (dessert grapes and grapes for vinification); hops; grass, for example turf; sweetleaf (Stevia rebaudania); rubber plants and forest plants, for example flowers, shrubs, deciduous trees and coniferous trees, and propagation material, for example seeds, and harvested produce of these plants.

The term crop plants also includes those plants which have been modified by breeding, mutagenesis or recombinant methods, including the biotechnological agricultural products which are on the market or in the process of being developed. Genetically modified plants are plants whose genetic material has been modified in a manner which does not occur under natural conditions by hybridizing, mutations or natural recombination (i.e. recombination of the genetic material). Here, one or more genes will, as a rule, be integrated into the genetic material of the plant in order to improve the plant's properties. Such recombinant modifications also comprise posttranslational modifications of proteins, oligo- or polypeptides, for example by means of glycosylation or binding polymers such as, for example, prenylated, acetylated or farnesylated residues or PEG residues.

The present invention further relates to seed containing the composition.

The present invention offers various advantages: Due to the low water content the composition is suitable for formulating pesticides which are sensitive to water; pesticides having an increased water solubility may be suspended; microbial growth is reduced; the storage stability is high; the freeze-thaw stability is high; easier to incorporate adjuvants (e.g. alkoxylates) into formulation; and efficacy of the composition is improved.

The examples which follow illustrate the invention without imposing any limitation.

EXAMPLES

Chemical stabilizer: liquid alkaline organic amine compound.

Sulfonate A: Sodium alkylnaphthalenesulfonate formaldehyde polycondensate, water soluble powder.

Alkoxylate A: Short chain alkoxylated alkanol, nonionic ethoxylated and propoxylated (diblock sequence) butanol with HLB 17, cloude point about 75° C., melting point about 30 to 35° C.

Alkoxylate B: liquid nonionic ethoxylated and propoxylated (diblock sequence) C12-18 aliphatic alcohol, water-insoluble, soluble in alcohols, solidification temperature about −5 to −8° C.

Cosurfactant A: nonionic ethoxylated tristyrylphenol surfactant, HLB 10 to 11.

Block Polymer A: nonionic EO-PO-EO triblockcopolymer, average molecular weight about 6000 Da, ethylene oxide (EO) content about 40 wt %, melting point about 30-33° C., HLB 12-18, solubility in water at least 10 wt % at 25° C.

Insecticide A: 1-(1,2-dimethylpropyl)-N-ethyl-5-methyl-N-pyridazin-4-yl-pyrazole-4-carboxamide

Insecticide B: 1-[1-(1-cyanocyclopropypethyl]-N-ethyl-5-methyl-N-pyridazin-4-yl-pyrazole-4-carboxamide

Insecticide C: N-ethyl-1-[(1S,25)-2-fluoro-1-methyl-propyl]-5-methyl-N-pyridazin-4-yl-pyrazole-4-carboxamide

Silica A: White powder, hydrophilic, untreated, fumed silica, specific surface area (BET) about 300 m²/g; SiO₂ content at least 99.8 wt %; average primary particle diameter 12 nm, tapped density about 0.05 kg/m³, pH in water (4 wt %) about 3.7 to 4.6; ignition loss (1000° C.) up to 1.0 wt %; loss on drying up to 1.5 wt %.

Silica B: White powder, hydrophilic, untreated, fumed silica, specific surface area (BET) about 200 m²/g; average primary particle diameter 12 nm, tapped density about 0.05 kg/m³, pH in water (4 wt %) about 3.8 to 4.6; ignition loss (1000° C.) up to 1.0 wt %; loss on drying up to 1.5 wt %; SiO₂ content at least 99.8 wt %.

Silica C: White powder, hydrophilic, fumed silica, specific surface area (BET) about 200 m²/g; tapped density about 0.05 kg/m³, pH in water (4 wt %) about 3.8 to 4.3; ignition loss (1000° C.) up to 2 wt %; average primary particle diameter below 30 nm; average aggregate particle size 200-300 nm, loss on drying up to 1.5 wt %; Si02 content at least 99.8 wt %.

Example 1: Metaflumizone Suspension in Polyethylene Glycol Continuous Phase

A liquid metaflumizone suspension having the following composition was prepared:

Component Amount (wt/wt %) Metaflumizone 15 Sulfonate A 4 Alkoxylate A 2 Silica B 1.0 Polyethylene Glycol 78

The pesticidal suspension was prepared by following procedure:

1. Add metaflumizone, Sulfonate A, into Polyethylene Glycol (average molecular weight of 400) while agitating. Continue agitation until homogenous.

2. The above mixture was then wet milled using a bead mill to particle size around 2 μm.

3. Add Silica B to the above mixture, mixed until uniform.

Three prepared samples were stored under the following conditions: (a) one sample was stored at −10° C., (b) another sample was stored at F/T (daily cycling temperature from −10° C. to 30° C.) and (c) a third sample was stored at 54° C. for two weeks. The particle size was measured before/after storage by Malvern Mastersizer 2000.

The suspension stability was determined by visual observation of sample phase separation after storage as well as particle size increase before/after storage at different storage temperatures. It was found there is no increase in particle size at all above storage temperatures and no phase separation occurred, therefore, the suspension of metaflumizone was physically stable.

Example 2: Abamectin Suspension in Propylene Glycol Continuous Phase

An abamectin suspension having the following composition was prepared:

Component Amount (wt/wt %) Abamectin 20 Cosurfactant A 14 Block Polymer A 20 Alkoxylate B 10 Thickener 1.0 1,2-propylene glycol 35

The pesticidal suspension was prepared by following procedure:

1. Add abamectin, Cosurfactant A, Block Polymer A, Alkoxylate B into the propylene glycol while agitating. Continue agitation until homogenous.

2. The above mixture was then wet milled using a bead mill to particle size around 2 pm.

3. Add Silica B to the above mixture, mix until uniform.

Three samples were stored and analyzed as described in Example 1. It was found there is no increase in particle size at all above storage temperatures and no significant phase separation occurred, therefore, the abamectin suspension was physically stable.

Example 3: Glyphosate Acid Suspension

A mixture of Dicamba Na salt and Glyphosate acid having the following composition was prepared:

Component Amount (wt/wt %) Dicamba Na 10 Glyphosate acid 20 Sulfonate A 4 Alkoxylate A 2 Thickener 1.0 1,2-propylene glycol 63

The pesticidal suspension was prepared by following procedure:

1. Add Dicamba Na, Sulfonate A, Stabilizer into 1,2-propylene glycol while agitating. Continue agitation until Dicamba Na completely dissolved.

2. Add Glyphosate acid into above mixture while agitating. Continue agitation until homogenous.

3. The above mixture was then wet milled using a bead mill to particle size around 2 μm.

4. Add Silica B to the above mixture, mix until uniform.

Three samples were stored and analyzed as described in Example 1. It was found there is no increase in particle size at all above storage temperatures and no phase separation occurred, therefore, the suspension was physically stable.

Example 4: Comparsion of Various Inorganic Thickeners

Afidopyropen and formulation additives (except Thickener) were added into 1,2-propylene glycol while agitating. The agitation was continued until afidopyropen was completely dissolved. Then broflanilide and Thickener (type et following Table Entries 1 to 9) was added into the mixture while agitating. The agitation was continued until homogenous. The mixture was then wet milled using a bead mill to particle size around 2 μm.

Amount (wt/wt %) Afidopyropen 1.5 Broflanilide 15 Cosurfactant A 14 Block Polymer A 16.3 Alkoxylate B 30 Chemical stabilizer 0.2 Thickener (cf Table) 1 1,2-propylene glycol 22

Samples of each mixutre with the various Thickeners was stored at 54° C. for two weeks and the phase separation analyzed after storage. The results are summarized in the following Table. Entries 1 to 9 represent comparative examples.

Phase separation after Entry Thickener Comment storage 1 without thickener — 46.2% 2 Gelwhite ® GP Montmorillonite clay 42.0% 3 Starch National 1213 Organic thickener 41.7% 4 Cab-O-Sil ® TS-610 Hydrophobic silica, 39.2% modified by treatement with dimethyldichloro- silane 5 Xanthan gum Organic thickener 37.5% 6 Aerosil ® R816 Hydrophobic silica, 37.5% modified by treatement with silanes or silox- anes 7 Aerosil ® R106 Hydrophobic silica, 36.4% modified by treatement with silanes or silox- anes 8 Syloid ® 244 Pyrogenic silica, pH 35.4% 6-8 in water, average pore volume 1.6 ml/g 9 Bentone ® 1000 Montmorillonite clay 34.7% 10 Silica A Fumed silica, untreated 13.3% 11 Silica B Fumed silica, untreated 12.2% 12 Silica C Fumed silica, untreated 4.3%

Example 5: Metaflumizone Suspension in Propylene Glycol

Afidopyropen and formulation additives (except Silica B) were added into 1,2-propylene glycol while agitating. The agitation was continued until afidopyropen was completely dissolved. Then metaflumizone and Silica B was added into the mixture while agitating. The agitation was continued until homogenous. The mixture was then wet milled using a bead mill to particle size around 2 μm.

Amount (wt/wt %) Afidopyropen 1.5 Metaflumizone 15 Cosurfactant A 14 Block Polymer A 16.3 Alkoxylate B 30 Chemical stabilizer 0.2 Silica B 1.0 1,2-propylene glycol 22

Samples were stored and analyzed as in Example 1. It was found there was no increase in particle size at all storage temperatures and no phase separation occurred, therefore, the suspension was physically stable.

Example 6: Dinotefuran Suspension in Propylene Glycol

Afidopyropen and formulation additives (except Silica B) were added into 1,2-propylene glycol while agitating. The agitation was continued until afidopyropen was completely dissolved. Then dinotefuran and Silica B was added into the mixture while agitating. The agitation was continued until homogenous. The mixture was then wet milled using a bead mill to particle size around 2 μm.

Amount (wt/wt %) Afidopyropen 1.4 Dinotefuran 13.6 Cosurfactant A 14 Block Polymer A 22.3 Alkoxylate B 29 Chemical stabilizer 0.2 Silica B 1.5 1,2-propylene glycol 18

Samples were stored and analyzed as in Example 1. It was found there was no increase in particle size at all storage temperatures and no phase separation occurred, therefore, the suspension was physically stable.

Example 7: Dinotefuran Suspension in Propylene Glycol

Afidopyropen and formulation additives (except Silica B) were added into 1,2-propylene glycol while agitating. The agitation was continued until afidopyropen was completely dissolved. Then dinotefuran and Silica B was added into the mixture while agitating. The agitation was continued until homogenous. The mixture was then wet milled using a bead mill to particle size around 2 μm.

Amount (wt/wt %) Afidopyropen 1.5 Dinotefuran 15 Cosurfactant A 15 Block Polymer A 14.6 Alkoxylate B 32 Chemical stabilizer 0.2 Silica B 1.7 1,2-propylene glycol 20

Samples were stored and analyzed as in Example 1. It was found there was no increase in particle size at all storage temperatures and no phase separation occurred, therefore, the suspension was physically stable.

Example 8: Broflanilide and Insecticide a Suspension in Propylene Glycol

Broflanilide, Insecticide A, and all formulation additives were added into 1,2-propylene glycol while agitating. The agitation was continued until homogenous. The mixture was then wet milled using a bead mill to particle size around 2 μm.

Amount (wt/wt %) Broflanilide 10 Insecticide A 10 Cosurfactant A 14 Block Polymer A 12 Alkoxylate B 20 Silica B 1 1,2-propylene glycol 33

Samples were stored and analyzed as in Example 1. It was found there was no increase in particle size at all storage temperatures and no phase separation occurred, therefore, the suspension was physically stable.

Example 9: Broflanilide and Insecticide B Suspension in Propylene Glycol

The Example 8 was repeated with Insecticide B instead of Insecticide A. Again, it was found there was no increase in particle size at all storage temperatures and no phase separation occurred, therefore, the suspension was physically stable.

Example 10: Broflanilide and Insecticide C Suspension in Propylene Glycol

The Example 8 was repeated with Insecticide C instead of Insecticide A. Again, it was found there was no increase in particle size at all storage temperatures and no phase separation occurred, therefore, the suspension was physically stable. 

1. A liquid nonaqueous composition comprising: a pesticide comprising suspended particles; a water soluble solvent; and an inorganic thickener selected from fumed silica particles.
 2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the silica particles are hydrophilic silica particles.
 3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the silica particles are free of a modification by treatment with any of a silane, a siloxane, and a mixture thereof
 4. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic thickener comprises silica particles with a specific surface area in a range from 50 to 500 m²/g.
 5. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic thickener comprises silica particles with an average primary particle diameter of 1 to 100 nm.
 6. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the pH value of an aqueous dispersion of the silica particles is in a range from 2.0 to 5.0.
 7. The composition according to claim 1, wherein weight loss on ignition of the silica particles is up to 4.0 wt %.
 8. The composition according to claim 1, comprising up to 5.0 wt % of the inorganic thickener.
 9. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the water soluble solvent comprises one or more of: propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerin, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, and dimethyl sulfoxide.
 10. The composition according to claim 1, comprising at least 10 wt % of the water soluble solvent.
 11. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising an alkoxylate.
 12. The composition according to claim 11, wherein the sum of the amounts of the water soluble solvent and the alkoxylate is at least 40 wt % of the composition.
 13. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising a block polymer surfactant.
 14. The composition according to claim 13, wherein the block polymer surfactant is an alkoxylate block polymer of the A-B-A type comprising blocks of polyethylene oxide (block “A”) and polypropylene oxide (block “B”), and wherein the alkoxylate block polymer is terminated on both ends by hydroxyl groups.
 15. The composition according to claim 1, comprising less than 1 wt % of water.
 16. A method for the preparation of the composition as defined in claim 1, the method comprising contacting the pesticide, the water soluble solvent, and the inorganic thickener selected from fumed silica particles to prepare the composition.
 17. A method for at least one of controlling phytopathogenic fungi, undesired plant growth, and undesired attacks by one of insects and mites and regulating the growth of plants, the method comprising applying the composition as defined in claim 1 on at least one of pests, a habitat of the pests, plants to be protected from the pests, soil, undesired plants, useful plants, and a habitat of the useful plants.
 18. The composition according to claim 11, wherein the alkoxylate is selected from alkoxylated alkanols.
 19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising contacting an alkoxylate with the composition.
 20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising contacting a block polymer surfactant with the composition. 